Centre for the Study of Existential Risk
| Abbreviation | CSER |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2012 |
| Founder | Huw Price, Martin Rees, Jaan Tallinn |
| Type | Research Centre |
| Headquarters | University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom |
| Website | www.cser.ac.uk |
The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) is an interdisciplinary research centre within the University of Cambridge dedicated to the study and mitigation of risks that could lead to human extinction or civilizational collapse. Founded in 2012, CSER brings together experts from various fields to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies and global catastrophic risks.
History[edit | edit source]
CSER was established by Huw Price, the Bertrand Russell Professor of Philosophy at Cambridge; Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal and former President of the Royal Society; and Jaan Tallinn, a co-founder of Skype and Kazaa. The founders were motivated by the belief that certain technological advancements, while beneficial, also pose unprecedented risks to humanity's future.
Mission[edit | edit source]
The mission of CSER is to explore and understand the risks that could threaten human existence and to develop strategies to mitigate these risks. The centre focuses on a range of potential threats, including:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential to surpass human intelligence.
- Biotechnology and the risks associated with genetic engineering and synthetic biology.
- Climate change and its long-term impacts on global ecosystems and human societies.
- Nuclear warfare and the potential for global conflict.
- Pandemics and the spread of infectious diseases.
Research Areas[edit | edit source]
CSER's research is organized into several key areas:
Artificial Intelligence[edit | edit source]
The centre examines the implications of advanced AI systems, including the ethical, social, and economic impacts. Researchers explore how AI could be developed safely and how to ensure that its benefits are widely distributed.
Biotechnology[edit | edit source]
CSER investigates the dual-use nature of biotechnologies, which can be used for both beneficial and harmful purposes. The centre studies the governance of these technologies to prevent misuse.
Climate Change[edit | edit source]
Research at CSER includes the study of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, as well as the potential for geoengineering solutions.
Global Catastrophic Risks[edit | edit source]
The centre assesses a wide range of risks that could have catastrophic impacts on humanity, including asteroid impacts, supervolcanic eruptions, and other low-probability, high-impact events.
Collaborations[edit | edit source]
CSER collaborates with other research institutions, governments, and non-governmental organizations to promote awareness and develop policies aimed at reducing existential risks. The centre also engages with the public through outreach and education initiatives.
Also see[edit | edit source]
- Global catastrophic risk
- Existential risk
- Future of Humanity Institute
- Artificial general intelligence
- Biosecurity
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